An Altered Y "Thank You" Card

My boss mentioned to me yesterday that he needed to send a "thank you" card to someone, so I told him that I would alter one of the old Y cards for him and bring it to work, today. I had been thinking that I should make other kinds of cards!

This is the card I made last night. It uses many of the same elements as my "condolence cards," but is cheery and not too fancy-shmancy for a man to send. The little flowers are adhesive-backed and were the last elements I added to the card. I decided that I didn't like the "floating in air" look of 'em, so I used a journaling pen and drew some stems and leaves. Not bad. Not bad, at all.

And, Ken really LIKED it! (Plus, he sent another of my "condolence cards," today.) I am adding a few embellishments from my stash to my latest cards, but they are still simple and inexpensive to make. At some point, I may request some kind of recompense for my card making -- some supplies or a new tool, perhaps, but for now I am just happy to be paid with a big smile and a compliment. (grin)

MORE CONVERTED YMCA CARDS

After completing my grandson's first birthday card, I still wanted to create, so I decided to tackle some more YMCA card conversions. These converted cards need to be SIMPLE and CHEAP to make. Well, I just don't know HOW one could make them more cheaply than these last three!

Again, here is a photo of an original note card that can no longer be used since they feature a former logo and byline.

My continuing task is to USE the "forbidden" cards to MAKE cards that are USEFUL -- and do it with almost NO out-of-pocket expense. As before, I used panels from the "old" cards to create new card fronts. I made use of the red and black color scheme and simply die-cut shapes, stamped and edged them with ink, then adhered them in place. I slipped off to bed at 1:00 a.m. thinking I'd completed three cards. But, this morning, before taking the cards to work, I decided that adding some lil die cut butterflies would be the FINISHING touch, so I put my Sizzix to quick use and cut 'n embossed a few butterflies -- and added them to the cards.

Here are BEFORE AND AFTER shots:

CONVERTING CARDS FOR THE YMCA!

All YMCA's are using new logos and bylines and everything with the former are being phased out, including signs, t-shirts -- all kinds of items. Hold that thought.

A few weeks ago, I suggested to my boss, the CEO, that he might want to send personalized condolence cards to Y patrons upon the death of family members. I suggested to him that I could make simple, handmade cards -- and he asked me to make a few as samples.

Well, I remembered seeing a supply of note cards that featured the former YMCA logo and I determined to "tweak" them into service as updated condolence cards.

Here's a photo of the OLD card.

My first effort was to TOTALLY cover the card front, using a card stock panel with a digital flower and digital sentiment. Not bad, but it didn't ring any bells for me. Ho-hum.

For my second attempt, I realized that the signature and title on the former cards could be salvaged. It was just the logo and byline that were outdated. So, I used my Sizzix "Top Note" die and cut shapes from black and red floral paper; trimmed them to fit, and added easy-peasy banners using red card stock strips to cover remnants of the old logo peeking from beneath the patterned paper. I sacrificed a premade card by stamping the sentiment on the inside sections of the front and back; then, oval-punched and adhered the sentiment on the refurbished card fronts. Some of the cards got rounded-corner treatment and others were left as-is.

My boss was QUITE impressed (grin) and upon seeing them, IMMEDIATELY asked if he could have one for he NEEDED to send a condolence card! (The one I gave him is not pictured, as I forgot to photo them until AFTER presenting them to my boss.)

As time permits, I will make new/different designs, but I think the oval-cut sentiment will be used for them ALL. It seems perfectly suited for use by a Christian organization.

It really pleases me to use my creative hobby to enhance my position at the Y. (By the way, I have been "upgraded" from the title of Executive Secretary to Administrative Assistant! How 'bout that?? grin)

BABY CARD for my soon-to-arrive Grandson!!

First, I have to state that I am totally BUMMED. I arrived home from spending the day with my daughter, Moriah, and granddaughter, Morilee, to find that SOMEONE had used my computer while I was away and had closed-out my Firefox browser that I had minimized. AAAUGH!!!!

The reason for my frustration is that I had been inspired by a baby girl card that I'd seen on a blog and had wanted to give CREDIT on my post -- and now, I can't. Ugh. I looked and looked, in an effort to locate the woman's blog, but had no success. *sigh*

The best I can do is DESCRIBE the card...the sentiment stated, "Thank heaven for little girls" and it featured a clothesline with baby girl clothes hanging from it and, below, two sections of a "white picket fence," which I'm sure were made with a PTI die. There were pretty paper layers, an embossed oval sentiment panel, pink buttons, and lovely stitching. It really WAS inspiring!!

My "Thank heaven for little boys" card ALSO has two sections of a picket fence, though mine was cut from a long 3-D sticker. Instead of a clothesline, my card features a lawn with scattered toys -- and a sign post that I assembled using a paper punch and text made with PrintMaster software. I don't normally use LOTS of layers on my cards, but I decided to give it a whirl -- and it was GREAT FUN!!

I am sure that I will "do a lil decorating" to the inside, but I wanted to upload my work to my blog, tonight. (I can share a photo of the inside, tomorrow, when I complete the card.)

The original version was LOVELY and my version is CUTE, but CUTE WORKS FOR ME!!

TWEAKED THE BRIDAL SHOWER CARD

I just was NOT satisfied with the card I made for Tyree's bridal shower! Her wedding colors are lime green and black, but her card was LACKING in the "black department." Remaking it was NOT an option (I'm not THAT OCD!), but I thought it possible to make some improvements -- and I think that I succeeded!!

Small additions, to be sure -- but, improvements that allow me to SIGN the card and SEAL the envelope!! YESSSS!!!

HUBBY'S BIRTHDAY CARD

Tomorrow is Jer's 60th (WOW!!) birthday and here is the card I made.

On the kraft card stock base, I adhered a bit of plaid wallpaper (donated to me by a local wallpaper business). The Bingo card is from a S.U.! background stamp. The numerals I stamped in the grids have special meaning...

Jer was 15 years old when he first saw me riding the school bus and determined that he would, someday, marry me. (I was 13 years old.) He was 23 years old when we married; was 25 years old when he became a father for the first time -- and the "FREE" grid in the middle represents (to me) when he received the FREE gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, at 27 years of age.

The sentiment was stamped with PTI Vintage Cream ink on S.U.! Close To Cocoa card stock and punched with an ek label punch. The large PTI punched numerals reveal that he is now a man of 60 years! Doesn't seem possible.

PAPER BAG "thank you" Mailer

Today, I received in the mail a signed copy of an online friend's FIRST published children's book. It was a sweet and thoughtful gift, given because I did some copy editing on her SECOND soon-to-be-published book. I was happy to help and surely didn't expect anything for it, but I'm just TICKLED to have a copy of her first work!

And, is it EVER cute??!!! This first book is entitled, Sh Sh Sh  Let the Baby Sleep by Kathy Stemke and illustrated by Jack Foster (ADORABLY!).

I thought it appropriate to send a creatively constructed "thank you" note, so I made a paper bag mailer.

I am hoping that it safely clears the postal machines and survives being handled, sorted, and bundled. Velcro dots hide beneath the decorated bag flap, providing a means to repeatedly open and close the mailer. The addressed (edited from photo to ensure her privacy) shipping tag is secured with thick, super-sticky circle ZOTS on one end and temporary-glue dots on the "flap end."

Inside is a white card stock panel, edged in black, for my note of thanks.

Gulp...we'll see if it makes the trip.